A Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine. [map]
Sunday September 21, 2025 | OTTAWA, ON
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Canada’s position on the two-state solution has long been that both Israel and Palestine should be two sovereign nations.
Canada does so as part of a coordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution.
The so-called ‘Two-State Solution’ has been a matter of attention in foreign affairs for decades, led in particular by the United States.
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed media about Canada’s position on the Middle East, along with Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, in Ottawa, July 30, 2025. [livestream]
Last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his intention to introduce Canada’s recognition of Palestine — but not Hamas which is a terrorist organization — as a viable State of Palestine.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney as the guest of US President Donald Trump in the oval office at the White House, May 6, 2025. [web]
That apparently irked the President of the United States during ongoing trade talks between Canada and the United States. The United States has already tried with military support to help Israel eradicate Hamas so that a two-state solution might find room to proceed.
Canada’s full support for the State of Israel has not wavered.
All of this is intended to work toward a framework that would support lasting peace.
A Two-State Solution for Israel and Palestine. [map]
Today Canada’s Ambassador to the United States, Bob Rae, said in an interview on CBC that peace requires each party recognizing the other.
The Conservative Party of Canada issued a statement this morning saying that Carney recognizing what the Conservatives call “the Hamas State”, is a distraction from domestic political issues, even though Carney clearly stated that creating a Palestinian state would not and could not involve Hamas.
Here is the full statement from the Prime Minister of Canada today:
Statement by Prime Minister Carney on Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine
September 21, 2025 | OTTAWA, ON
“Since 1947, it has been the policy of every Canadian government to support a two-state solution for lasting peace in the Middle East. This envisioned the creation of a sovereign, democratic, and viable State of Palestine building its future in peace and security alongside the State of Israel.
Over many decades, Canada’s commitment to this goal was premised on the expectation that this outcome would be eventually achieved as part of a negotiated settlement. Regrettably, this possibility has been steadily and gravely eroded, including by:
The pervasive threat of Hamas terrorism to Israel and its people, culminating in the heinous terrorist attack of October 7, 2023, and Hamas’ longstanding violent rejection of Israel’s right to exist and a two-state solution.
The accelerated settlement building across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while settler violence against Palestinians has soared.
Actions such as the E1 Settlement Plan and this year’s vote by the Knesset calling for the annexation of the West Bank.
The Israeli government’s contribution to the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, including by impeding access to food and other essential humanitarian supplies.
Hamas has terrorized the people of Israel and oppressed the people of Gaza, wreaking horrific suffering. It is imperative that Hamas release all hostages, fully disarm, and play no role in the future governance of Palestine. Hamas has stolen from the Palestinian people, cheated them of their life and liberty, and can in no way dictate their future.
The current Israeli government is working methodically to prevent the prospect of a Palestinian state from ever being established. It has pursued an unrelenting policy of settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is illegal under international law. Its sustained assault in Gaza has killed tens of thousands of civilians, displaced well over one million people, and caused a devastating and preventable famine in violation of international law. It is now the avowed policy of the current Israeli government that ‘there will be no Palestinian state’.
It is in this context that Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel. Canada does so as part of a co-ordinated international effort to preserve the possibility of a two-state solution. While Canada is under no illusions that this recognition is a panacea, this recognition is firmly aligned with the principles of self-determination and fundamental human rights reflected in the United Nations Charter, and the consistent policy of Canada for generations.
Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it. Furthermore, it in no way compromises Canada’s steadfast support for the State of Israel, its people, and their security – security that can only ultimately be guaranteed through the achievement of a comprehensive two-state solution.
The Palestinian Authority has provided direct commitments to Canada and the international community on much-needed reforms, including to fundamentally reform its governance, to hold general elections in 2026 in which Hamas can play no part, and to demilitarize the Palestinian state. Canada will intensify efforts to support the Palestinian Authority’s implementation of this reform agenda, on which progress has already been made. With our international partners, Canada supports the development of a credible peace plan, democratic governance and clear security arrangements for Palestine, and the sustained, large-scale delivery of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.”
===== RELATED:
Trump irked by Canada’s intention to recognize Palestine, could give Canada more trade-deal time (July 31, 2025)
Canada to recognize the State of Palestine at United Nations in September 2025 (July 30, 2025)
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